Recognition of extended linear and cyclised polyketide mimics by a type II acyl carrier protein.

Polyketides are secondary metabolites which display both valuable pharmaceutical and agrochemical properties. Biosynthesis is performed by polyketide synthases (PKSs), and the acyl carrier protein (ACP), a small acidic protein, that transports the growing polyketide chain and is essential for activity. Here we report the synthesis of two aromatic probes and a linear octaketide mimic that have been tethered to actinorhodin ACP.

Design and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) structure determination of the second extracellular immunoglobulin tyrosine kinase A (TrkAIg2) domain construct for binding site elucidation in drug discovery.

The tyrosine kinase A (TrkA) receptor is a validated therapeutic intervention point for a wide range of conditions. TrkA activation by nerve growth factor (NGF) binding the second extracellular immunoglobulin (TrkAIg2) domain triggers intracellular signaling cascades. In the periphery, this promotes the pain phenotype and, in the brain, cell survival or differentiation.

Silyl migrations in D-xylose derivatives: total synthesis of a marine quinoline alkaloid.

A versatile method for the synthesis of orthogonally protected D-xylose 1-thioethers is described using unusual silyl group migrations which were pivotal in the synthesis of 4,8-dimethyl-6-O-(2',4'-di-O-methyl-β-D-xylopyranosyl)hydroxyquinoline confirming the structure and absolute configuration of the natural product.

Total synthesis of (-)-blepharocalyxin D and analogues.

An efficient strategy for the total synthesis of (-)-blepharocalyxin D and an analogue is described. The key step involves an acid-mediated cascade process in which reaction of methyl 3,3-dimethoxypropanoate with γ,δ-unsaturated alcohols possessing diastereotopic styrenyl groups gives trans-fused bicyclic lactones with the creation of two rings and four stereocenters in one pot.

Bicyclic oxygen heterocycles from γ,δ-unsaturated alcohols: synthetic targets inspired by blepharocalyxin D.

trans-2,8-Dioxabicyclodecanes were prepared in high yield with the creation of up to three stereocenters in a single pot by the acid-mediated reaction of γ,δ-unsaturated alcohols with aldehydes (see scheme, Bn=benzyl). This versatile reaction enables the stereoselective introduction of substituents at the C3, C4, C7, and C9 positions of the bicyclic framework.